Osteomics: A breakthrough integrated research system using mathematical and computational methods to replace animal models of human bone disease and bone repair

This project will address a fundamental unanswered question in bone metabolism namely how different sets of genes interact among multiple systems. Mechanistic studies of bone diseases rely heavily on animal models to identify predominantly regulatory factors among transcriptional signalling pathways. This project will provide an alternative for the absolute replacement of animals and animal products in studies of bone disease and repair. The outcome of this project will give scientists a new experimental model combing in vitro cells model with mathematical and computational model in bone research, thus removing the need for an animal model. This development will enhance our understanding of the complex network of interactions in bone metabolism and advance potential treatment of bone diseases. Furthermore, the integrated bioinformatic model will have wide applications such as evaluating the effects of concurrent disease, such as obesity, diabetes and stress on bone health.